Monday, September 9, 2013

Don't go it alone!

Wow has it been one year already?! Well I did say that I would post some pictures here of my progress. I am not however ready to post any silly shirtless pictures! Sorry ladies. I am not done yet but have come a very long way. When I started really thinking about losing weight I was at 420lbs. I may have been bigger at some point but I do not know for sure, lets just say I couldn't find a scale outside a doctor's office that could measure my weight. On my own I may have gotten down to 340lbs but last year at the Dr's office I was on my way back up weighing in at 360lbs. What I was doing on my own was just not working, and I was only 40lbs away from breaking the 400lbs mark..... Again. I needed help.

Andrew Schwab of Project 86 and me. — in Nashville, TN.

I was just popping stuff in my mouth, not giving a care about calories or what it would do to my body. The picture I have to the right is of me and the front man for Project 86, Andrew Schwab. In this picture I was probably over 420lbs. Some of you know this about me, and some do not. I work in broadcasting, and like most office jobs I am stuck at a desk, meeting, or console for 8+ hours a day. One thing I would do is go through the office and raid candy jars that people put out to share and just munch on these snacks to help pass the time. When I look back at this I just shake my head. I did not see what I was doing to myself. People would buy me exercise books or video's for birthday's or Christmas. People would try talking to me about joining a gym or training to run. I did not want to talk about it and I wanted to get there on my own! Yes I am doing the face palm right now, because I would either shrug off the advice or just toss out the books and video's I was given. Looking back I really wish I still had some of those! What was my problem? In short food addiction. I did not want to admit that I had a problem. I love food, and at that time I really loved sitting down an destroying an entire can of cashews. That doctors visit last year was the tipping point. I needed help, and I should not be doing this alone.

I went from wearing a size 50 to a size 40 in under a year!

My mom had been bugging me. She would call and say, "You really need to call my health coach with Take Shape For Life! The food is awesome and I think you would really enjoy talking to my coach." I would reply, "Yeah ma, I'm all set. Maybe some day." Did I mention she called me almost every day from when she started the program? What did I learn here? Even if you are 34 and have a family of your own you should still listen to your mother......Some times.....Ha! If you have been here since day one then you know that I am very happy with the results I have had with Take Shape For Life! The picture to the left is me after losing 114lbs in under a year! I started September 1, 2012 and this picture was taken end of July beginning of August 2013. My coach had been there. He was a guy who was overweight and was having strokes and other health complications. So we connected right off the bat. He guided me every step of the way and was available to me when ever I needed him for support. I started right before the holidays and with out his support I could not have done it! Finding a plan that works for you is part of the process, but admitting that you have a problem and getting a valid support system in place are the two most important steps you must take before going down this road. So if you are starting down your own road to weigh loss make sure these steps are taken first.

Admit that you have a problem

Make sure you have a valid and concrete support system. (I recommend a health coach from TSFL who has been in your shoes)

Be committed to reaching your goal 100%

Make a list of things you want to do at a healthy weight. Then do them!

Have fun with it, and share your joy and success with others!

As some of you already know I too have become a health coach with Take Shape For Life. If you would like to join me on this road to weight loss please feel free to schedule a time to chat with me. I have been there and can help you on your journey to a healthy you! Don't go it alone! Together we can rock this thing!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

*Results vary. Typical weight loss on the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan® is 2-5 lbs per week for the first 2 weeks and 1-2 lbs per week thereafter.